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c. B. WEAVER. I I APPARATUS FOR MAKING IRREGQJLABLY SHAPED sTfAMPmGs.

APPLICATION FILED FEB; 25. I915.

Patented June 17, 1919. Q

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0. B. WEAVER. APPARATUS FOR MAKING IRREGULARLY- SHAPED STAMPING S.

APIFLICAT/ION'QHLED ran. 25. ms. 1,307,170. PatentedJune 17, 1919..

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'c. B. WEAVER. APPARATUS FOR MAKING IRREGULARLY SHAPED STAMPINGS.

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- I APPLICATIONJILED FEB. 25; I915-- A 1,307,170. Patented June 17, 1919.

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mu m U ml Hllllll l1 c. B. WEAVER APPARATUS FOR MAKING IRRE GULARLY SHAPED STAMPINGS.

.9 APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25 I915- 1,307,170. I Patented June 17, 1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

' c. B. WEAVER. APPARATUS FOR MAKING IRREGULARLY SHAPED STAMPINGS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25. l9i5- I I Patented June 17, I919 6 SHEETS-SHEET 1 UNITED STATES PATENT {)FFIQE.

CLAYTON B. WEAVER, OF PKILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T E i i-LED G.

BUIDD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 015

IOMTION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

PHILADEL'PHIA, PENNSYLVAIUE, A. C011";-

AIPARATUS FOR MAKING IRBEGULARLYEHAPED EHAMPINGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 3'2, 1919.

Application filed February $5, 1915. Serial No. 10,455.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CLAYTON B; WEAvnn,

- a citizen oi the United States, residing at Philadelp 'hia", in the county of Philadelphia,

State of Pennsylvania, have made a certain new and useful Invention in Apparatus for Making Irregularly- Shaped Stampings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the method and apparatus for making irregular shaped star'npings.

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for making irregularly shaped stampings, which is simple in structure and mode of operation and eflicient in operation.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the character referred to for making large irregularly shaped sheet metal stampings at one stroke or operation.

A further object is to provide an ap'paratus of the character referred to wherein.

the sheet metal blank is stretched into the desired shape at one operation without diminution of its thickness and Without wrinkling.

Other objects of the invention. will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location, relative arrangement of parts and mode of operation, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying draw ings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims. 2

Referring tothe accompanying drawings Figure 1 is aplan view of a sheet steel plate which has been trimmed toithe desired outline preparatory to being stretched into the desired irregular shape in accordance with the principles of my invention.

.the work holder or seat in which the preliminarily trimmed and'formed sheet is received and stretched into the required shape.

l 4 is a view in top plan of the work holder or scat shown tion on the line 4, 4, Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a view in out of the work holder and the gate open.

in Fig. 3 parts in seefront elevation of the construction shown in Fig. i, with the clamplng and shaping dies lowered and the gate closed.

Fig. 6 is a view in vertical section on the line 6, 6, Fig. 5, showing the stretching die advanced to its position of full working stroke.

a ieiv in vertical section on the ig. 8 is a broken view in section on the l ne 8, 8, Fig. '7, with the clamping and shap= mg or stretching dies lowered.

-ig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a blank steel sheet trimmed to the required outlineto be stretched into shape to form another portion of a sheet steel automobile body in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view 0! a com pleted cowl.

Fig. 11, is a top lan view, partly in horizontal section on tie line 11, 11, Fig. ll, of the Work holder for producing the irregular stretched shape shown in Fig.10.

Fig. 12 is a broken detail view in section on the line 12, IL Fig. 13 looking in the direction of the arrows' Fig. 13 is a view in front elevation, parts broken off, of the work holder shown in Fig. 11, the gate being closed and the: clamping and stretching dies being advanced to the limits of their working stroke.

Fig. 14 is a view in vertical section on the line 14. 14, Fig. 13, looking in the direction of the arrows. v

Fig. 15 a view similar to Fig. 1%, showing the clamping and shaping die-s raised Fig. 16 is a broken detail view in section on the line 16, 16, Fig. 11.

The same part is designated by the same reference numeral wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

Heretofore it been the universal custoin to produce by handwork large sheet steel etanipihgs of irregular shape in the manufacture of automobile bodies, such as fenders, CQWlS, shrouds, or other portions or shells for such bodies. This method of producing such large irregularly shaped. stanipings is slow and exceedingly expensive and involves expensive and repeated han' dling and annealing of each individual piece. The use of different machines and dies through which such stampings are suecessively passed is equally objectionable 1nasmuch as such method involves unnecessary and repeated handlings of each ind1v1dual piece, which greatly adds to the 'cost. 'The production of small slzed stampings of 11'- regular shapes has been attempted by making the dies in-difierent pieces wh ch are soldered together, the seamsbeing painted over. The acid used in the solder, however, quickly rusts through the paint with the result that the product or stamping produced shows the line of the seams in the form of an uneven line or ridge. W1th the very best of care it is impossible to prevent the line of the seams of sectional dies from showing in the stampings produced. This trouble is greatly magnified in the production of large stampings and particularly in large stampings of irregular form such as fenders, shrouds, cowls and other portions of sheet steelv automobile bodies, where synnnetry of appearance is of the highest importance. 7

1 It is among the special objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method of operation wherein'the objections above noted are obviated and eliminated, and large sheet-steel stampings of irregular shape are produced in perfectly smooth contour and condition and at a single stroke of a single stretching or shapmg die, thereby enabling me to produce the stampings quickly, easily and inexpensively, and avo1d1ng the large expense incident to repeated handlmgs of individual pieces, as

well as the danger of marriug the appearance and smoothness of contour or surface of'the stampings through unsightly ridges or outlines of die seams appearing therein.

.In'carryiiig out my invention the first step is to trim a,. sl1eet steel blank to the required outline as indicated in Figs. 1 and 9. Theblank, thus trimmed, is then roughly bent by hand into the approximate shape of the work holder preliminary to being inserted in the work holder. The .trimmed and preliminarily shaped blank is then placed in position in a suitable work .holder and is securely clamped and held throughout the entire area thereof outside of. the portion which is to be formed into the required irregular shape and' while so clamped and held the blank is acted upon I by a single die, suitably shaped, applied to bla-nk ;is stretched into the desired shape. "In the stretching action which takes place the nnolamped area of the sheet, whereby the whenthe die is applied to its work, the sheet g is shaped into the required form but without ."clecreasing the thickness thereof, which would. be exceedingly objectionable, and also without increasingits thickness at any point which would "be equally undesirable. The

result of -the'operation is the production of a stampingstretched to the required irregueer/are lar shape in beautifully smooth and finished condition, at a single stroke of the shaping die, and free from creases or wrinkles or the unsightly outline of die seams. The fiuished stamping is then removed from the work holder and another trimmed and prolilninarily shaped blank is inserted and the operation repeated. Thus the stampings, in perfect order and condition are turned out apidly and inexpensively.

The process described may be carried out in a wide variety of forms of apparatus. In the accompanying drawings I have shown constructions for turning out various irregular shapss of sheet steel stampings.

Referring particularly to'Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and S I have shown a work holder which consists, essentially of side portions 17, in the form of vertical standards suitably bolted or otherwise anchored to a foundation 18. T he side portions 17, of the work holder are connected together at their front and rear lower portions by cross members 19, 20, and at their upper horizontal edges said side members are curved to the desired shape, as indicated at 21, over which the bent ends 22 of the stampings are clamped and shaped during the action of the drawing die. The side members 17, and their .front and rear cross connecting members 19, 20, constitute a. holder into which the trimmed and preliminarily shaped blank is received. The front cross connecting member 19 preferably extends to a less height than the rear member 20, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, (3 and 7, which facilitates the introduction and seating of the blank in the-holder. A horizontal retainer bar 23, is placed on the front cross connecting member 19. The front edge of the blank sheet fits down against the rear edge of this bar, and is retained in place thereby. Said bar also serves as a retainer stop for the door presently to be described. The blank, 1.1reliminarily bent into substantially U-shape with the end portions thereof bent over, is seated in the work holder above described with its bent endportions extending over the curved shapingsurfaces 2.1 of -the work holder sides. The rear edge of the blank is received and rests upon the upper edge or surface of the rear cross member 20 of the work holder, while the front edge of theblank rests upon the upper edge or surface of the front cross member 19. and against the rear edge of the retainer bar 23. In order to prevent the sheetor blank from being stretched into wrinkles or ereases during the operation of the drawing or shaping die. presently to be described. itis essential that the blank be efficiently clamped and held along its horizontal as well as along its vertical edges. The upper surfaces of the front and rear cross connecting members 19, E20. and the curved upper edges or surfaces of the sidemembers 17, afford clamping surfaces for the. horizontal portions or edges of the blank. against which the clamping die presently to be described, acts. The vertical portions or edges of the blank are clamped and held in the following manner. At the front edge of each side portion 1'? of the work holder is a vertical lever 2i, pivotally mounted at its lower end, as indicated at Each of these levers is provided w ith a tail extension 26 beyond its pivot point, against which acts a spring 27, the tension of which is normally exerted upon said levers to rock them laterally away fromthe edge of the blankseated in the work holder. Suitable keepers 28, bolted to the front ends of side members 1? engage over said levers 2i, and serve as guides for.

. the latter. When the clamping die member advances to its work the levers 24 are rocked inwardly into position against the vertical edges of the blank to clamp and hold the same against the vertical side edges of the door, presently to be described. I

After the blank is properly seated in the work holder a chunpin g die operating in adance of the shaping; and drawing die descends and engages the horizontal edges of the blank. This clamping die is indicated, generally, by reference numeral 30. it. comprlses the horizontal side portions 31 which are shaped to conform to the curvature of y the surfaces 21 of the work holder and eo-act therewith to clamp the bent over or curved end portions 22 of the blank therebetween. The clamping die also is provided with the rear member 32, see 6. which coiiperates with the upper surface of the cross member 20, to clamp the rear horizontal edge of the blank therebetwjeen. A retainer bar 33 is carried by the rear portion 32 of the clamping die and extends below the clamping surface of said portion and serves to prevent the blank from being displaced from proper position and relation as the clamping die advances to its work. A swinging door 34 is hinged along its upper horizontal edge-at the front of the clamping die. the door hinges being indicated at 35. Any suitable means may be provided for swinging the door into open or closed position. A toggle lever arrangement for this purpose is shown indicated at 36. After a blank is seated in the Work holder and before the clamping die is advanced to its work, the door 34 is closed into the position shown in Fig. 6, and as the clamping die then advances to its work the lower edge of the door cooperates with the upper surface of thecross member 19 to. clamp the'front edge of the blank thcrebetween. If desired, and in order toinsure an eiiicient clamping and gripping action upon this horizontal edge portion of the blanks raised gripping strip 37, may beinserted 1n the upper surface ofthe cross member 19, as clearly shown. Carried by the clamping die the work holder and against theunelamped' area of the blank. This stretching die is formed in one single piece on its working surface which 1s shaped to the desired configuration according to the character of the stamping to be produced. It worrs inside the clamping die and as it advances to its work it penetrates into the work holder and engages the unclamped area of the blank and stretches the same into the desired configuration. This action does not cause the sheet to be reduced nor to be increased in thickness at any oint but it does cause the same to be stretched smoothly into the required shapewithoutwrinkles or creases.

After the stretching die has completed its Working stroke the clamping die is Withdrawn and then the stretching die 'is'withdrawn, and finally the gate opened and the stretched stamping is removed and replaced by another blank. The operation described is then repeated.

The important problem involved is the stretching of a lar e sheet steel blankinto an irregularly shape product. This is accomplished according to the method and apparatus above described by. firmly and eflicicntly clamping the edges of the blank and then applying the stretching die to the unclamped area of the blank which is to be stretched into the required shape. The action of the stretching die causes the metal of the blank to be drawn from all directions while being formed into the desired shape. The operation is accomplished rapidly a complete product being turned out at each stroke of the dies. Any suitable mechanism may be employed for actuating the dies in the performance of their work.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the blank sheet is clamped at its edges in different horizontal planes. By reason of this I am enabled to secure the stretching action upon the blank by the shapin;- die which forms the same into the desired irregular shape.

It will also b .seen that the stretching die gorks inside and is guided by the clamping It is not essential that the clamping die be provided with a hinged door, as the clamping levers 24, 24, may operate against any suitable or convenient abutment, forming part of or carried by the clamping plunger. a

In Figs. 11 to 16 I have shown an arrangement such as is required to produce a shape or drawn stamping of the form shown in =ing bar 44. Instead of the upper edges of the side portions of the work holder being rounded as are the surfaces 21 above described, saidedgcs are in the form of fiat surfaces with'a rib 45, and gripping ribs 46 are respectively seated in the clamping face of the cross member 42 at one edge of the base part of the Work holder, and in the other edge of said base part. The clamp levers 47 for the vertical edges of the blank are somewhat difi'erently shaped from the levers 24, above described, but they are pivotally mounted in the same manner, with springs 48 acting thereon and may be forced into cooperating clamping action against the vertical edges of the door 49 by, means of depending arms 50 on the clamping plunger 51, in the same manner as above described. The door 51 is opened and closed by toggle levers 52, and the clamping plunger 51 Op". crates to clamp the edges of the blank in the same manner as above described. In the production of the stamping in this instance, however the work holder 1s rovided with a bottom surface 53 of the required oonfiguration with which cooperates a (Bo-acting and correspondingly shaped surface on the stretching die 54, in order to produce the required configuration in the finished stamping. The operation and principle of action remains the same as that abovc described with reference to Figs. 3 to 9.

Having now set forth the objects and nature of my invention, and the manner of carrying the same into practical opm'ation, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invent-ion, and desire to secure by Lct ters Patent is p 1. In an apparatus for producing large sheet metal stainpings of irregular shape, a work holder to. receive the blank to be stamped, means for clamping the blank along and throughout the edges thereof, and a convened stretching die adapted to operate against the unclampcd area of the blank to stretch the same throughout such area into the desired shape, the shaping of the sheet metal being accomplished solely by lhe action of the stretching die.

2. In an apparatus for producing large sheet metal stampings of irregular shape, a \vork holder having side portions and cross connecting members to receive the blank to be stretched, in combination with a clampneonate ing die adapted to coiiperate with said side portions and cross connecting members to clamp the edges of the blank therebetween, and a forming and stretching die convened on its Working surface to the desired contour of the sheet to be produced, and adapted to act upon the unclamped area of the blank to sin'mltaneously form and stretch the same throughout such area into the required shape without the cooperation of a complementary die.

3. In an apparatus forproducing large sheet metal stampings of irregular shape, a "work holder havingside portions and cross comiecting members, at the front and rear thereof, the cross connecting member at the rear being raised higher than the member at the front, in combination with a clamping die to coiiperate with said side portions and cross connecting members to clamp the edges of the blank therebetween, and a stretching die to act upon the unclamped area of the blank to stretch the same into the required shape.

4. In an apparatus for producing large sheet stampings of irregular shape, a work holder having side portions and cross connecting members and a gripping rib in the upper surface of one of said members in combination with a clamping die to cooperate with said side portions and cross connecting members to clamp the edges of the blank therebctween, and a stretching die to act upon the unclamped area of the blank to stretch the same into the required shape.

. 5. In an apparatus for producing sheet metal stampings of irregular shape, a work holder having side oortions and cross connecting members, and a retaining bar for the front cross member, in combination with a clamping die to cooperate with said side portions and cross connecting members to clamp the edges of the blank therebetween, and a stretching die to act upon the unclampcd area of the blank tostretch the same into the required shape.

(3. In an apparatus for producing large sheet. metal stampings of irregular shape, a work holder, a coiiperating clamp die, clamp levers carried by the work holder, means to rock said lcversinto clamping relation with the clamping die, and a strctchii'ig die. 7. .ln an apparatus for producing large sheet metal stamping-s of irregular shape, a work holder, a cooperating clamp die, clamp levers carried by the work holder, arms carried by the clamp die to engage said levers and rock the same into clamping engagement with the vertical edges of the blank, and a stretching die operating to stretch the blank ll'llf-O the desired shape.

8. In an apparatus for producing large sheet metal stampings of irregular shape, a work holder. at coiipcrating.clamp die, clamp levers carried by the work holder, means it desiredshape.

Leomso to force the levers into clamping relation with the vertical edges of the blank, and a stretehihg die operating to stretch the xlie into the desired shape.

9. En en apparatus for producing large sheet metal stempings of irregular shape, s; Work holder having clamping surtaeestdisposed in difierent horizontal planes, to reeeive the edges of the blank to be stamped, means toooiiperete with said surfaces to clamp the blank edges thereto, and astretehingdie to operate againstthe unolampedarea. of the blank to stretch the same into the 10. In an apparatus porting surfaces for t e edges of the hlsnk' to he shaped, e -elwmpingdie ooiiperetmg with said. members to 01am the blank edges therebetween, and a streto ing die to operate against the nnclemped area. of the blank to stretch the same into the desired irregular shape. 1

11; In 311 apparatus for sheet metal stamgingsof irregular shape, a

work holder having cross connecting por tions, one of semi members extenjthngjto a higher horizontal plane. than the eiher, -saicl members forming it support with a clemping'die eo6perstiu'g;tvith said cross. members to blank thereoetween end a stretching (lie to act against the unolempedarea, of the blank to stretch he same into the required. shape.

L521. sh apparatus for producing large sheet motel stampings of irregular shape, a

levers to retract for prodeeing ierge sheet motel stampings of irregular shape, a work holder havmg against I stretch z -front' portion of the into a hinged gate, and a stxetehmg (he operproduein large I and rear portions 1 1' shwpe. for ellges of the blank tofbe stretch s- 1 th tmrzeinetlonclamp the edges of the work holder to receive the sheet metal blank,

a, clamping die oohpemtin with seicl holder to oia np the edges of the hlank, said clampmg the having it lunged gate, and 2t stretching die to operate egelnst the unolamped area of the blank to stretch the some into ,the desired irregular shape.

13. In an apparatus for producing large sheet metal stampings of irregular shepe at work holder to receive the sheet metel blzmlq a clamping the having front emireer portions arranged to cooperate with the Work holder to clamp the edges of the blank and a forming and; stretching die oonvexed on its Working surface to theioontour of the article to oe produeed. and adapted to open ate between said fronts-11d rear portions and the unclsmped area, of the blank to the same throughout such area into the desired irregular shape without the co operation of e complements-1w die.

14. In an apparatus for precluding large sheet metal. stempings of irregular seeps, a Work holder to receive 'the sheet metal blank, a clamping die having front and reel portions arranged to cooperate with the work holder to clamp the edges of the blank, the clamping die formed sting between said front anclegemstthe unclemped area of the blank to stretch the same mto the cleslred mregw In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in s. 1915. i v f I CLAYTONBJ/VEAVER.

W'l ti'iesses:

WM. l geemee Ens. R. Hess.

the presence of the sfibsor'ibing 1 r a -w1tnesses, on tlns 2nd they of February, 

